TikTok has exploded with all kinds of advice influencers in recent years, with creators dishing out advice on everything from exercise and gardening to dating and travel. One area of TikTok that has become quite popular recently is “VaginaTok,” where creators—some like real-life OB/GYNs @anniedeliversmd are licensed physicians, most are not- they offer advice, counsel, and education on various aspects of vaginal health.
The advantage of VaginaTok is that it sparks open discussions about topics like periods, sexual pleasure and reproductive anatomy that were previously considered taboo. As schools While the US often falls short in educating children and teenagers about sexual health, many people of all ages are flocking to the Internet to learn about sex education and medical advice. However, getting your health information from social media is always difficult as there is no guarantee or check for validity. At the end of the day, it’s important to seek medically accurate sources, such as a licensed physician or a peer-reviewed study.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of VaginaTok’s top trends and see if they have medical value or if they’re just a myth.
Vaginal Splint
Vaginal splint refers to a digital voiding method to relieve constipation or incomplete evacuation (feeling that the bowel has not been cleared) where the woman presses against the vaginal wall with her fingers to help empty the stool from the rectum. @ambriaalicewalterfield She first posted the trend in February 2021 (though her account is now private), and it quickly swept the internet, with various commenters also sharing how they’re wearing it.
Vaginal splinting is actually a fairly standard practice among women, with the University of Michigan Medical Blog appreciating “that up to 30% of women use this technique to help with occasional bowel movements.”
For women with pelvic floor dysfunction – common among those who have given birth – they may find it difficult to have a bowel movement, as straining can weaken the pelvic floor and worsen problems such as pelvic organ prolapse (SHOOT). Although the vaginal splint is usually performed with the fingers, you can also use a tampon to apply pressure to the back wall of the vagina if you are not comfortable using your fingers.
Verdict: FACT
Vamping
Our bodies naturally secrete pheromones that emit sexual attraction and bodily secretions such as vaginal discharge contain pheromones. So does using vaginal secretions as perfume equate to increasing your sex appeal? This pseudoscientific chain of reasoning was blown up last year by #vabbing all over TikTok and dubious claims of success that attract partners such as @jewlieahThe viral video of the steamer at the gym.
However, the idea was demystified as a blank voltage. There is no scientific research to support the claim that using vaginal secretions as a scent can increase your chances of attracting a partner, and “cottoning” as a practice has not been studied in a controlled setting. If you decide to try it, it’s important to keep hygiene and health in mind. make sure your vaginal health is in good shape and that you are not transmitting bacteria or STDs. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after “harvesting” vaginal fluid, and don’t do it if you know you have an STD.
Verdict: FICTION
Stopping your period with ibuprofen
Cardi B first posted this idea back 2019 when she revealed in an interview that she drank a “special cocktail” of ibuprofen and gelatin to stop her period bleeding so she could have sex with her now-husband Offset. The trend is back on track Tik Tok last year, with hashtags like #periodstopper.
Although ibuprofen can help delay or lighten periods, it is not designed to stop a period completely and there are no guarantees that it will work. Anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful for easing heavy flows, but if you want to delay your next period, check out hormonal birth control options or other types short term medicines.
Verdict: FICTION
Balancing hormones with one bowel movement a day
A somewhat misinterpreted myth that became popular in Tik Tok was that bowel movements directly help balance hormones. More specifically, that anyone with a uterus must have daily bowel movements to balance their hormones. Regular bowel movements are a sign that your hormones are balanced, and hormones can affect bowel movements—but not working the opposite.
Verdict: FICTION
Innie/Outie Vaginas
TikTok can sometimes be a place where people come together and discover that they are not alone. @gabygabssThe viral video of him comparing lips to belly buttons – some of us have extroverts and some have noses – celebrates all vulva shapes and sizes, because that’s how they come! There is nothing shameful or unattractive about having “outie” lips, just like having an “outie” belly button!
Verdict: FACT
Meta: TikTok offers a variety of medically accurate and inaccurate information about vaginal health and anatomy. What is true and what is not?
